Cpl. Clint Harrell, left, with Lt. Wayne Kamus of the Madison Police Department at the Dublin Park July 4 celebration in 2014. (File Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – As the annual July 4 celebration at Dublin Park approaches, and many more locals celebrate Independence Day, the Madison Police Department is doing its best to get out ahead of the fanfare and festivities to ensure an enjoyable holiday weekend for all.

With above-average temperatures becoming a mainstay in the region over the past few weeks, Capt. John Stringer of the Madison Police Department said the department will focus on keeping the public cool at the public celebration at Dublin Park.

“We do anticipate elevated temperatures and anticipate it hot,” Stringer said. “We will have to misting tents there at the celebration that people can go and cool down so they don’t overheat.”

Stringer also recommended using umbrellas to shade attendees form potential sunburn and to drink plenty of water while outside.

“You should be drinking bottled water throughout the day,” Stringer said. “If you feel faint, dizzy or nauseated make sure you get out of the sun and into a cool place.”

While the city has authorized fireworks to be shot at Dublin Park, private citizens and other non-city authorized fireworks displays are prohibited in Madison city limits, Stringer said as a reminder.

“We like to remind people that we have fire-suppression crews on site if anything goes wrong,” he said.

On the Madison Police Department’s Facebook page, a recent posting warned residents to secure pets that might be prone to running away after being startled by fireworks.

While the Stars & Stripes Forever July 4 Celebration is going on, Stringer advised there will likely be delays on Old Madison Pike stretching to Shelton Road to the east and the busy intersection of Hughes Road and Brownsferry Road just to the west. The event starts at 2 p.m. and will conclude with the fireworks show, which is set to begin at dark.

“More than anything, we want people to have a safe and happy day,” Stringer said.